System having at least a hand tool box and a construction site radio

ABSTRACT

A system having at least one hand tool box, a hand tool fastening arrangement, and a construction site radio, which is configured to be removable from the hand tool box, the hand tool fastening arrangement and the construction site radio being configured to be jointly transportable in a receptacle space of the hand tool box.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of German patent application no. 10 2012 204 407.8, which was filed in Germany on Mar. 20, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system having at least a hand tool box and a construction site radio.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A hand tool box having a permanently installed construction site radio is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,168.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system having at least a hand tool box, a hand tool fastening arrangement, and a construction site radio configured to be removable from the hand tool box is proposed, the hand tool fastening arrangement and the construction site radio being configured to be jointly transportable in a receptacle space of the hand tool box. A “hand tool box” is to be understood in particular as a box which is provided for the purpose of accommodating at least one hand tool and/or one hand tool battery. The hand tool box may have at least one main body and a box lid. A “hand tool fastening arrangement” (“means”) is to be understood in particular as a structure which is provided for the purpose of fastening the hand tool and/or the hand tool battery in a form-fit and/or friction-locked manner in at least one operating state, in particular together with the box lid of the hand tool box. The hand tool fastening arrangement may delimit a hand tool receptacle area and/or a hand tool battery receptacle area, in particular on more than one side with a shape of the hand tool and/or the hand tool battery. The hand tool fastening arrangement may remain in the receptacle space of the hand tool box when the hand tool and/or the hand tool battery is/are removed. The hand tool fastening arrangement may be placed unfastened into the hand tool box in particular. Alternatively, the hand tool fastening arrangement could be mechanically connected to the hand tool box and/or configured at least partially in one piece with the hand tool box. A “construction site radio” is to be understood in particular as a radio which is provided for use on a construction site. The construction site radio may be provided for the purpose of surviving a fall from at least 1 m high without functional restrictions resulting therefrom. The construction site radio is advantageously protected against environmental influences at least according to protection class IP53. In particular, the term “configured to be removable” is to be understood to mean that the construction site radio may be removed without tools and nondestructively from the hand tool box.

The construction site radio may be removable from the hand tool box with few manipulations. In particular, the construction site radio is configured to be usable separately from the hand tool box. A “receptacle space” is to be understood in particular as a space which encloses the hand tool box when the box lid is closed. In particular, the term “jointly transportable in a receptacle space” is to be understood to mean that the hand tool fastening arrangement and the construction site radio have a size and a shape by which the hand tool fastening arrangement and the construction site radio fit together in the receptacle space when the box lid is closed. Through the embodiment according to the present invention of the system, the construction site radio and a hand tool fastened by the hand tool fastening arrangement may advantageously be transported protected in the same hand tool box.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the construction site radio occupies less than two-thirds of the receptacle space, whereby plenty of space advantageously remains for a hand tool fastened by the hand tool fastening arrangement. In particular, “occupying less than two-thirds of the receptacle space” in this context is to be understood to mean that the construction site radio fills up less than 66% of a volume of the receptacle space. The construction site radio may occupy less than one-half of the receptacle space.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the construction site radio has an outside extension parallel to a main extension plane of the construction site radio of less than 250 mm, advantageously less than 220 mm, particularly advantageously less than 200 mm, whereby a particularly large amount of space may be achieved for a hand tool fastened by the hand tool fastening arrangement. An “outside extension” is to be understood in particular as a minimum distance between two planes aligned in parallel to one another, neither of which intersect the construction site radio, the construction site radio being arranged between the planes. In particular, a “main extension plane” is to be understood as a plane which has a maximum area of intersection with a volume delimited by the construction site radio.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the construction site radio and the hand tool fastening arrangement fill up the receptacle space essentially in a form-fit manner, whereby the receptacle space is advantageously utilized and a structurally complex fastening of the construction site radio may be omitted. The term “filling up essentially in a formfitting manner” is to be understood in particular to mean that the construction site radio and the hand tool fastening arrangement jointly have a shape which, when the box lid is closed, at least essentially prevents a movement of the construction site radio and the hand tool fastening arrangement relative to a main body of the hand tool box. The form fit may be subject to play, to ensure simple removal and replacement. In particular, “at least essentially” is to be understood in this context to mean that the construction site radio and the hand tool fastening arrangement may move less than 3 cm, advantageously less than 1 cm, particularly advantageously less than 0.5 cm in relation to the main body of the hand tool box.

In addition, it is proposed that the construction site radio has a handle arrangement, which is provided for the purpose of supporting a weight of the construction site radio on a plane in each orientation of the construction site radio, whereby a radio housing of the construction site radio is advantageously protected inside the hand tool box and outside the hand tool box. A “handle arrangement” (“means”) is to be understood in particular as a structure which is provided for the purpose of being at least partially covered by a hand when carrying the construction site radio. The handle arrangement advantageously has a rod-shaped handle area. The construction site radio may have a radio housing which encloses an interior space, in which at least one electronics element of the construction site radio is situated. The handle arrangement and the radio housing may have different materials. The handle arrangement may be made of a viscoelastic, elastic, or rubber-like material which appears meaningful to those skilled in the art, but may be made of polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and/or nitrile rubber. The radio housing is advantageously made of a material which appears meaningful to those skilled in the art, but particularly advantageously made of polyamide, high-impact polystyrene, polycarbonate, and/or advantageously of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. In particular, the term “supporting a weight on a plane in an orientation” is to be understood to mean that only the handle arrangement touches the plane when the construction site radio rests on the plane. An area spanned by the handle arrangement may enclose the entire construction site radio.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the handle arrangement be configured in one piece, whereby particularly simple installation is possible. “One piece” is to be understood in particular as integrally joined, for example, by a welding process and/or gluing process, etc., and particularly advantageously molded on, as by the monolithic production and/or by the production in a single component or multicomponent injection molding method.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the handle arrangement be formed at least partially from a rubber-like material, whereby damage to the handle arrangement by mechanical action may be avoided. In particular, a rubber-like material is to be understood as a material which has a modulus of elasticity less than 4 kN/mm², advantageously less than 2 kN/mm², particularly advantageously less than 1 kN/mm². Alternatively or advantageously additionally, the handle arrangement has viscoelastic and/or elastic properties.

In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that the construction site radio has at least one loudspeaker device, the handle arrangement being at least partially arranged in front of the loudspeaker device, whereby the loudspeaker device is advantageously protected. A “loudspeaker device” is to be understood in particular as a device which is provided for the purpose of acoustically outputting a received radio transmitter [sic; signal]. The loudspeaker device may include a loudspeaker and a loudspeaker cover, which is provided for the purpose of covering the loudspeaker. In particular, the term “situated in front of the loudspeaker device” is to be understood to mean that a beam intersects the handle arrangement, which begins on the surface of the loudspeaker device, points away from the loudspeaker device, and is aligned perpendicularly to a plane spanned by a surface of the loudspeaker device.

In addition, it is proposed that the system includes a power supply unit, the construction site radio delimiting a power supply unit receptacle space, which is provided for the purpose of accommodating the power supply unit, whereby the power supply unit may be transported comfortably and protected. “Delimiting a power supply unit receptacle space” is to be understood in particular to mean that the construction site radio at least partially encloses a space. The construction site radio may be provided for the purpose of fastening the power supply unit in a friction-locked and/or advantageously formfitting manner in the power supply unit receptacle space. The construction site radio may have a sealing arrangement, which is provided for the purpose of sealing off the power supply unit receptacle space.

The construction site radio may include a power supply unit interface, which is provided for the purpose of absorbing electrical power from the power supply unit. A “power supply unit” is to be understood in particular as a device which is provided for the purpose of converting a system voltage, in particular 230 V and/or 110 V, into a lower voltage, in particular 12 V, advantageously a DC voltage, to power the construction site radio. In particular, “accommodating” is to be understood to mean that the power supply unit may be situated completely in the power supply unit receptacle space in at least one operating state, advantageously during transport.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the power supply unit has a shield, which is provided for the purpose of minimizing an emission of electromagnetic waves at least in a radio frequency range, whereby an advantageous low-interference radio reception is possible. An “emission” is to be understood in particular as transmitting the electromagnetic waves and/or deflecting the electromagnetic waves via a cable. In particular, a “radio frequency range” is to be understood as a range in which a radio transmitter [sic; signal] is receivable with the aid of the construction site radio in at least one operating state. The term “minimizing” is to be understood in particular to mean that the shield reduces an emission, which appears meaningful to those skilled in the art, in the radio frequency range by at least 10 dB, advantageously at least 20 dB, particularly advantageously at least 30 dB.

In addition, it is proposed that the system has a hand tool battery, the construction site radio having a battery interface, which is provided for the purpose of being at least electrically coupled to the hand tool battery, whereby a cordless operation is possible using a hand tool battery, which is advantageously also usable in other ways. A “hand tool battery” is to be understood in particular as a battery which is provided for the purpose of supplying a hand tool with power, in particular when it is used as intended. In an operationally ready state, the hand tool battery may be connected to the hand tool so it is removable without tools in particular. Alternatively or additionally, a hand tool battery could be integrated into the hand tool. In particular, a “hand tool” is to be understood as a portable tool which appears meaningful to those skilled in the art, but advantageously a power drill, a hammer drill, a percussion hammer, a saw, a plane, a screwdriver, a milling machine, a grinder, an angle grinder, a gardening tool, a construction site measuring device, and/or a multifunction tool. A “battery interface” is to be understood in particular as an interface which is provided for the purpose of absorbing electrical power from the hand tool battery. “Coupling” is to be understood in particular as establishing a functional connection.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the hand tool battery and/or the construction site radio have an unlocking arrangement, which is provided for the purpose of unlocking the hand tool battery, which is locked with the construction site radio, using an actuating direction at least essentially perpendicular to a main extension plane of the construction site radio, whereby particularly comfortable unlocking is possible. An “unlocking arrangement” (“means”) is to be understood in particular as a structure whose actuation disconnects a connection between the construction site radio and the hand tool battery. The hand tool battery may have the unlocking arrangement. Alternatively or additionally, the construction site radio could have an unlocking arrangement. An “actuating direction” is to be understood in particular as a direction into which, in the event of an actuation, an area of the unlocking arrangement is moved, which is touched by an operator for this purpose. The term “at least essentially perpendicular” is to be understood in particular to mean that the actuating direction deviates less than 45°, advantageously less than 30°, particularly advantageously less than 15° from the perpendicular direction.

In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention it is proposed that the construction site radio has a fastening arrangement, which is provided for coupling with a nail head and/or a screw head, whereby the construction site radio may advantageously be fastened on a wall in particular. A “fastening arrangement” (“means”) is to be understood in particular as a structure which is used in particular only for fastening the construction site radio. The fastening arrangement may delimit a T-shaped groove. The fastening arrangement is advantageously formed separately from the handle arrangement.

Further advantages result from the following description of the drawings. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawings. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also advantageously consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system according to the present invention having a hand tool box, a hand tool fastening arrangement, and a construction site radio in a perspective view.

FIG. 2 shows the construction site radio from FIG. 1 in a further perspective view.

FIG. 3 shows a handle arrangement of the construction site radio from FIG. 1 in a perspective view.

FIG. 4 shows a section through the construction site radio from FIG. 1 perpendicular to a main extension plane of the construction site radio.

FIG. 5 shows a power supply unit receptacle space of the construction site radio from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a system 10 having a hand tool box 12, a hand tool fastening arrangement 14, a construction site radio 16, a power supply unit 30, a hand tool battery 34, a hand tool 44, and a charging device 45. Hand tool box 12 has a box lid 46 and a main body 47. Box lid 46 delimits a receptacle space 18 of hand tool box 12 on one side. Main body 47 delimits receptacle space 18 of hand tool box 12 on five sides. Construction site radio 16, hand tool battery 34, hand tool 44, and charging device 45 are configured to be removable from hand tool box 12 when box lid 46 is open. Hand tool battery 34 has a nominal voltage of 10.8 V. Hand tool battery 34 is configured as a lithium-ion battery.

Hand tool fastening arrangement 14 and construction site radio 16 are configured to be jointly transportable in receptacle space 18 of hand tool box 12. Hand tool fastening arrangement 14 and construction site radio 16 each occupy essentially one-half of receptacle space 18. Construction site radio 16 has at least one outside extension 20 parallel to a main extension plane 22 of construction site radio 16 of 199.5 mm. Hand tool fastening arrangement 14 has an outside extension 48 parallel to a main extension plane of approximately 180 mm. Receptacle space 18 has a length of 378 mm along its longest edge. Construction site radio 16 and hand tool fastening arrangement 14 fill up receptacle space 18 in a formfitting manner.

FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 show construction site radio 16. Construction site radio 16 has a handle arrangement 24, two loudspeaker devices 26, 28, a power supply unit receptacle space 32, a battery interface 36, a fastening arrangement 42, a radio housing 50, an operating device 52, electronics 54, an antenna 56, and a bridging power accumulator interface 58.

Handle arrangement 24 is provided for the purpose of supporting a weight of construction site radio 16 on a plane in each orientation of construction site radio 16. For this purpose, handle arrangement 24 protrudes on each side of construction site radio 16 farthest into a space surrounding construction site radio 16. Handle arrangement 24 is configured in one piece. Handle arrangement 24 is formed from polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomer. Handle arrangement 24 has two rod-shaped handle areas 60. Handle areas 60 are situated in front of loudspeaker devices 26, 28. Handle areas 60 extend parallel to an edge of radio housing 50. Fastening brackets 62, 64 of handle arrangement 24 adjoin handle areas 60 in each case on both sides. Fastening brackets 62, 64 each extend along another edge of radio housing 50 and on a side of radio housing 50 facing away from handle areas 60. Two of fastening brackets 62 are connected to one another by a connecting area 66 along an edge adjacent to operating device 52. During transport of construction site radio 16 in receptacle space 18, an area 67 of hand tool box 12 which protrudes into receptacle space 18 is partially situated between areas of handle arrangement 24.

Operating device 52 is situated inclined by approximately 60° in relation to main extension plane 22, whereby the construction site radio may advantageously be operated both lying in hand tool box 12 and also upright on a wall. Operating device 52 has quick-selector buttons 68, with the aid of which radio transmitters are selectable by a single press of a button.

Radio housing 50 delimits power supply unit receptacle space 32. For this purpose, radio housing 50 has a power supply unit receptacle space cover 70, which is blanked out in FIG. 5. Power supply unit receptacle space cover 70 seals off power supply receptacle space 32 in a closed state. Power supply unit receptacle space 32 has a width 72 of 138 mm, a height 74 of 80 mm, and a depth 76 of 46 mm. Radio housing 50 has a depth 78 of 64 mm. A depth 76 of power supply unit receptacle space 32 is therefore greater than 65% of a depth 78 of radio housing 50. Power supply unit 30 is fastened in a formfitting manner in power supply unit receptacle space 32 when power supply unit receptacle space cover 70 is closed. Power supply unit receptacle space cover 70 may be opened without tools. For this purpose, power supply unit receptacle space 70 has a catch device 80.

Battery interface 36 of construction site radio 16 is provided for the purpose of being electrically and mechanically coupled to hand tool battery 34 of system 10. Hand tool battery 34 supplies construction site radio 16 with electrical power during operation via battery interface 36. Hand tool battery 34 is inserted into battery interface 36 from a side facing away from operating device 52. Battery interface 36 protrudes into power supply unit receptacle space 32. Hand tool battery 34 has two unlocking arrangement 38, which are provided for the purpose of unlocking hand tool battery 34, which is locked with construction site radio 16, in an actuation direction 40 perpendicular to main extension plane 22 of construction site radio 16. Unlocking arrangement 38 are configured as flexible housing parts of hand tool battery 34. Battery interface 36 of construction site radio 16 has a fastening element 82, to which unlocking arrangement 38 is locked in an operating state. A fastening surface 84 of fastening element 82 is aligned essentially perpendicularly to main extension plane 22 of construction site radio 16. Bridging power accumulator interface 58 is provided for the purpose of supplying an accumulator of electronics 54 with electrical power when battery interface 36 and power supply unit 30 are not providing power. Bridging power accumulator interface 58 is situated adjacent to battery interface 36. Bridging power accumulator interface 58 is provided for the purpose of accommodating and contacting at least one battery.

Power supply unit 30 has a shield (not shown in greater detail), which is provided for the purpose of minimizing emission of electromagnetic waves at least in a radio frequency range. The shield includes an electrically conductive layer, which encloses a power converter of power supply unit 30. In addition, the shield could have a ferrite core, which encloses a cable (not shown in greater detail) of power supply unit 30.

Radio housing 50 of construction site radio 16 is configured in three parts. It includes a top shell 86, a bottom shell 88, and a battery shell 90. Radio housing 50 encloses electronics 54. Construction site radio 16 includes fastening arrangement 42, which is provided for coupling with a nail head or a screw head. Fastening arrangement 42 has a recess 92. Recess 92 is delimited by handle arrangement 24 and bottom shell 88. Handle arrangement 24 has a notch 94, which is situated over recess 92. A shaft of a screw or a nail protrudes into notch 94 during fastening of construction site radio 16, while the nail head or the screw head is situated in recess 92. Radio housing 50 delimits recesses 96, by which unlocking arrangement 38 of hand tool battery 34 are operable. Radio housing 50 delimits an antenna recess 98. Antenna 56 is configured to be slewable into antenna recess 98 for transport. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a hand tool box; a hand tool fastening arrangement; and a construction site radio, which is configured to be removable from the hand tool box, the hand tool fastening arrangement and the construction site radio being configured to be jointly transportable in a receptacle space of the hand tool box.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the construction site radio occupies less than two-thirds of the receptacle space.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the construction site radio has at least one outside extension parallel to a main extension plane of the construction site radio of less than 250 mm.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the construction site radio and the hand tool fastening arrangement fill up the receptacle space essentially in a form-fitting manner.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the construction site radio has a handle arrangement, which is provided for supporting a weight of the construction site radio on a plane in each orientation of the construction site radio.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the handle arrangement is configured in one piece.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the handle arrangement is at least partially formed from a rubber-like material.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the construction site radio has at least one loudspeaker device, and wherein the handle arrangement is situated at least partially in front of the loudspeaker device.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a power supply unit, wherein the construction site radio delimits a power supply unit receptacle space, which is provided for accommodating the power supply unit.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the power supply unit has a shield, which is provided for minimizing emission of electromagnetic waves at least in a radio frequency range.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a hand tool battery, wherein the construction site radio has a battery interface, which is provided for being at least electrically coupled to the hand tool battery.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the hand tool battery and the construction site radio has an unlocking arrangement, which is provided for unlocking the hand tool battery, which is locked with the construction site radio, using an actuation direction at least essentially perpendicular to a main extension plane of the construction site radio.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the construction site radio has a fastening arrangement, which is provided for coupling with at least one of a nail head and a screw head.
 14. A construction site radio of a system having a hand tool box and a hand tool fastening arrangement, comprising: a construction site radio, which is configured to be removable from the hand tool box, the hand tool fastening arrangement and the construction site radio being configured to be jointly transportable in a receptacle space of the hand tool box. 